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It’s Saturday night at Moody Music Hall, where Guerilla Theatre is taking place for its black-tie edition, aptly called Gala Guerilla. The presenters, two Alpha Psi Omega (the theatre honors society) members, call each performer to the stage like they are hosts at the Oscars. “The award for best multiracial duet goes to…” “Best poetry performance by a Caucasian goes to…” Performers sung, recited poetry, played cello, acted, but the last award had yet to be announced.
“And the award for the most badass thing you’ll see all night goes to….Mami Shimada!”
It’s wasn’t an exaggeration. Shimada, an exchange student from Japan, dreams of being a jazz saxophonist, and she’s already a bit of a star on campus. She practices daily on the Quad and was featured by The Crimson White’s video series “Talented UA.” She played at a Poetry Slam/Music Jam at Moody a week before her Guerilla debut, but at Guerilla Theatre, she received her first standing ovation.
Shimada bowed her head in a grateful nod before and after each song, showing her appreciation for the chance to play. This is Mami’s way; she takes every opportunity she can to share her music with others. She told me the day before that she was number 11 on a list of only ten slots for performers at Guerilla, but that she would go Saturday night anyways to play for those waiting in the infamously long line outside of Guerilla. At last, a slot cleared, and Mami was able to perform.
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